160k E90 vs 120k E46?

[TroubledSoul]

Hi all. In my current search for a manual replacement for our auto E46 I have spotted a high mileage E90 SE in budget.

The facelift E46 cars seem to be hovering between 120k - 140k at this level (our current one is mid 130s) so I'm just after some advice really on if there's any reason not to go for the E90?

The obvious downside is that it's an SE vs the E46s which are Sports, but I want to use it for occasional track days too so any car at 100k plus is going to want new shocks and springs, which makes it a bit of a moot point.

The upside is that it has the sports seats, so that's something. I understand the steering wheel would be a skinnier version, but that isn't exactly hard to sort.

Just to be absolutely clear, the car would be for commuter/odd track day use. Not a pride and joy sort of thing so the SE looks won't grate on me so much. It will get parked in city centre car parks every day etc.

Any thoughts?

[TroubledSoul]

Sorry, I meant both cars as being 330i models. Bit more power int he E90 but obviously a bit more weight too.

I'm just curious to know whether there's any sort of major step forward that makes the E90 better really but it doesn't sound much like it from what you've said.

[TroubledSoul]

MattOz said:

They're certainly not as prone to rust. Mine has the odd little spec here and there, but it's original paint, so I'm actually thinking about getting BMW to take a look and see if it can be resolved under the 12 year body anti-corrosion warranty. With FBMWSH, it shouldn't be an issue. Hopefully.

That's a pretty good selling point to be honest! The rust at the front of the rear arches is a real ball ache on the E46.

I have an E36 M3 Evo though so it's nice to see the amount of rust gradually reducing with generations

[TroubledSoul]

Yeah I think I'm going to go see this one. It's bottom of the market so if it sells it's an E46 as you don't see many at this price. For what I want it for I don't mind if it's a bit rough around the edges to be honest. I'm more than capable of sorting most issues. When I actually have the time!

[TroubledSoul]

It's a 2005 E90 so no spring chicken. But it will be our stter and it will get thrown around a track a few times until I finish building the M3 Evo. I'm going in with my eyes open, fully prepared to walk away if it's not right. I certainly wouldn't be upset to have to buy a decent E46 instead. Just the possibility of getting into an E90 for similar money is hard to resist without at least looking at it.

I have had a look at the past MOT history and it had a fair list of advisories on the last one. The trader says these are sorted and it will come with a fresh MOT so we'll see. If it turns out he's bullstted me then alarm bells will be ringing!

In the meantime, I've seen a few nice E46s although mostly in saloon form. Amazing what the coupes still command pricewise really.

Saw a nice coupe, but it's in Bransholme in Hull so I'm no longer keen

[TroubledSoul]

This one is cheap enough to make the not considering an M-Sport very financially favourable. It'll get new springs, shocks and bushes and it has the sports seats already so bumpers and skirts will be the only thing I'd gain (granted they do look loads better) but like I said, it won't be my pride and joy, I have a 2012 WRX STI and my M3 Evo for all that

I think I'm going to really enjoy it from the sounds of it, I just hope it is worth buying when I see it.

[TroubledSoul]

Welshbeef said:

What's the price difference?

Also sounds like your heart is set on it so decision made?

Decision made if the car stacks up in person, yeah. The more I think about it the more I'm keen. Price difference is about £3k.

Spoke to the guy from the dealer just now and he sounds alright and said there were loads of receipts and a big wad of papers so that's promising. It won't be ready for Saturday so I couldn't take it anyway so that takes the pressure to impulse buy out of it. I'll go see it and I'll report back.

[TroubledSoul]

Yes but it's awaiting a replacement headlight unit then a fresh MOT. Out of my hands really. I've also usually done the same.

[TroubledSoul]

Right, so tonight I am starting to have second thoughts about the E90.

Reason being, if I buy it I am going to want new shocks and springs and I will also want the chunkier M-Sport steering wheel. Imagine the look on my face tonight when I realised that an M-Sport steering wheel with an airbag sells for £300 - £350 on ebay! That's insane! Such demand suggest the SE wheel is probably really st.

I would then want the slightly bigger M-Sport rear anti roll bar, but fitting that is a far bigger job on an E90 due to the bar going over the subframe on that car.

bks.

Due to not wanting to properly blow the budget I am also looking at the lower end of the suspension market. If I were to buy an E46 however, I could buy a decent Bilstein B12 kit for a total price very similar to what the E90 starts at. By the time we've got into the realm of buying all the bits I want for the E90 I've then got an E46 with decent suspension and a full set of polybushes......

This is now a much tougher choice. In my mind the E90 is a much better and nicer car. Is this particular E90 the right one right now? Not so sure now I've looked further into it. I need to make sure I am clear on what I am and aren't able/willing to do. I want a car I can get setup in time to take my wife for track tuition for her birthday. I could do all the jobs to the E90 over time, so that's a plus for it. It wouldn't be as good in the short term though.

FFS. There's always a spanner to be thrown in the works with these decisions!

[TroubledSoul]

Welshbeef said:

But on that you may as well buy a shell and solid engine and build up from there but I've an inclin that this is not a proper track car instead maybe one a year if time allows.
Probably cheaper buying a track prepared car to start

Another point is the OP has raised concerns about the £3k price difference... I fear that getting a car to track spec shocks bushes springs FIA fuel tank roll cage helmet fire retardant clothing slicks/intermediate tyres proper brakes will gobble that £3k up in no time at all and be multiples of it.

Ah no you're misunderstanding me slightly Beefy. I'm not turning it into a proper track car. I'm keeping it as primarily a road car but making it more track friendly, i.e. better suspension (probably shocks and springs rather than coilovers), new bushes, that sort of thing.

I've got an M3 Evo that will eventually take over once I've finished building it and I've gained a bit more experience/tuition etc.

[TroubledSoul]

Christ, the car's worth more than that if you mean the E90

BTW take a look at E46 prices in comparison. Post 2003 facelift models in 330i/Ci flavour are a bit daft for what they are.

I'm now thinking fk it, go see the E90. I'll either like it or I won't. The E46 contenders are all considerably further away from me so what harm can having a look do? If I buy it I'll likely go with the cheaper Vogtland suspension kit which I admit to never having heard of before but have found some very favourable reviews for since doing a search.

I guess there's nothing else for me to really add now until I see the E90 in the morning. I'll update then.

[TroubledSoul]

Yeah stuff like that I do myself to be fair.

[TroubledSoul]

OK so nothing actually went as planned over the weekend. I haven't bought anything, but I didn't get over to look at the 330i SE.

I spotted an Estoril Blue E46 M3 near home and went for a little look. But it was absolute bottom of the market and had 200k on the clock

The trader was saying how good a car it was for the miles, but it wanted everything done. Propshaft donut, vanos rattle, there was evidence of the oil having been topped up, smoke coming from the engine bay when revved, door seals barely attached at any point, gearshift sloppy.....

And this was £2.5k more than the E90 I had in mind. For some reason, I was still tempted to buy it then came to my senses and walked

But yeah, because I was prepared to up the budget for that, I have been wondering if I should just spend more. But I am having real issues because of that. We're creeping into 335i money and even the SE coupes have M-Sport suspension, sports steering wheel and seats etc.

So no nearer a decision really. It's become a kind of buy an E46 or spend twice as much and buy an E90 situation. Or buy a bottom of the market M3 (but the thought of a money pit will likely keep me away) or buy something else.

So I have now gone a bit off topic and will have to start a new thread in GG asking about some alternatives. Indecision is a horrible thing as a process like this then becomes pretty stressful. I get scared I will make a decision I'll regret, either financially or because I bought the wrong car.

Here's where my head has gone:

• E46 - Cheap, reliable, does rust, has no LSD
• E46 M3 - Beautiful. Amazing sound. Going to be expensive to run at this level and will likely divert funds away from finishing my current project
• E90 - Lovely. But still no LSD and will I be gutted if I buy a 330i now I've had my head turned by the 335i?
• Alternatives

350Z - Like these a lot but just read about this VDC system which seems extremely intrusive for track work. Does have LSD and Brembos though
Z4 3.0 - Love these but I believe even pre facelift have the electric steering? Not right for learning about handling on the limit if so
RX8 - Lovely cars, terrible economy and how long until a rebuild is required? But lovely balance, fairly quick, LSD etc. Could easily buy a nice one and have money aside for a future rebuild though
MK3 MX5 - This has crept in but would max the (extended) budget as I'd have to buy the BBR Super 200 conversion. Don't know much about them though.

So let's see where I end up eh? And let's hope I make the right bloody decision. Eventually.